Auburn, Ala. (EETV) - The day after Auburn's victory over Georgia Southern brings one question into the minds of Auburn fans: Did Jarrett Stidham live up to the hype.
Stidham entered Saturday's game without taking a snap in 2 years. His lack of playing time showed as he looked nervous early with pressure from Georgia Southern.
In the first quarter, Stidham looks to find an open Darius Slayton on the left side. Stidham's pass, a would be a touchdown, went through the hands of Slayton. The Tiger's would attempt a field goal by Daniel Carlson that went wide left.
Later in the first, with Auburn up 10-0, Stidham looks to throw across the middle, but it is intercepted by Jay Bowdy.
On the following drive, Stidham is pressure immediately and fumbles the ball. Tomarcio Reese scoops the ball up and takes it in for the touchdown to put Georgia Southern on the board, 10-7.
Stidham was down, but not out. In the second quarter, Stidham fakes the handoff and keeps it himself for the 14-yard rushing touchdown.
Auburn led Georgia Southern 24-7 at the half.
On Auburn's first drive of the second half, Stidham finds Ryan Davis across the middle who shakes one defender and dives into the end zone for the 19-yard touchdown.
In the fourth quarter, with Auburn driving, Stidham finds Will Hastings in the corner of the end zone for the 19-yard touchdown to put Auburn up 41-7.
That score would hold, as Stidham helps the Tiger's win 41-7.
Stidham was able to show signs of promise for Auburn, with his ability to bounce back after back-to-back turnovers.
"He'll be an outstanding quarterback, I'll tell you right now," said coach Gus Malzahn. "Like I said, he's played 4 college games and that was 2 years ago. So I was pleased with the way that he handled the offense. And he'll get nothing but better."
Stidham was able to throw for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns as well as having 17 rushing yards and a rushing score.
The major stat for Stidham was that he turned the ball over twice during the game, something that he will want to improve upon.
"It's been a long road for me, it doesn't make it an excuse," said Stidham. "So I just have to get a lot better."
Stidham and the Tiger's will look to improve upon their week 1 win, as they travel to defending national champion Clemson next Saturday.
